REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUMMER ROAD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 266, 19 May 1855, Page 9

REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUMMER ROAD.

(Concluded from onr last.) Gollan's Bay Tunnel to Sumner. 40. From the north end of. the tunnel the line descends at a gradient varying from 1 in 15 to 1 in 10 inside cutting chiefly through clay, until it reaches Sum-ner-flat at a distance of 74i chains from the tunnel mouth. 41. This portion of the road will be nowhere less than 12 feet wide, and numerous passing places. 42. From the foot of the incline the road passes on the natural level of the ground for a distance of 89 chains, until it reaches the sea beach at Sumner, 4 miles 24 chains from Lyttelton. I propose to make this part of the road 54 feet wide, with 12 feet metalling in the centre. Sumner to M'Cormack's Flat. 43. Between the last named point and M'Gormack's flat, a distance of 52 chains, the line of road passes under high cliffs, which here rise from the water's edge, and its formation will be attended with heavy expense. 44. The projecting spurs must be blasted away, the clay banks in front of the Association's store sloped down and metalled to protect them from the action of the sea, and sea-walls built under the cliffs for a distance of 15 chains, in addition to the length already executed. From the end of the sea-wall to M'Cormack's flat the road will be formed in clay side-cutting for a distance of 14 chains, until it reaches level ground, at a distance of 4 miles 73 chains from Lyttelton. 45. I propose to make this part of the road 14 feet wide, with passing places where requisite. M'Cormack's Flat to Heatkcote Ferry — Cutting at Moabone Point. 46. From M'Cormack's flat to Heathcote Ferry, a distance of 2 miles 41 chains, the road will be carried on the level, except at Moabone Point, where there will be a steep ascent, partly in cutting and partly in embankment, on the eastern side, to reach the summit of the spur, which is about 60 feet above the sea. The descent on the western side of Moabone Point will be in rock cutting for 10 chains, 11 feet wide, with a parapet wall the whole length of the descent, which will be on a gradient of 1 in 11. 47. I propose to make the road 54 feet wide through the flats, with metalling 12 feet wide in the centre. Bridge over the Heathcote. 48. At the old Heathcote Ferry it is proposed to build a timber bridge over the Heathcote navigation, with a swing opening 20 feet wide, which will connect the new road with the present Ferry Road at a distance of 7 miles 40 chains from Lyttelton, making the total distance from the Post Office, Lyttelton, to the Town Reserve at Christchurch, 10 miles 58 chains. 49. As the erection of the bridge will necessitate the employment of a bridgekeeper, I consider that it will be desirable to leave its construction until after the line is open throughout, as the traffic may be carried on by means of a large punt, as a priI vate speculation, without expense to the Government. 50. The above description embodies the leading features of the proposed road.